Category Archives: News

News

We’ll resist lithium mining – Effutu chief

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The paramount chief of the Effutu Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey VII, has conveyed the traditional council’s disinterest in allowing lithium mining on their land.

The chief expressed concerns about the potential environmental impact on their stream, lagoon, and hunting grounds, crucial for the annual Aboakyire festival.

Speaking on the Class Morning Show with Kwame Dwomoh Agyemang on Wednesday, 13 December 2023, Neenyi Ghartey outlined three main reasons against any form of mining in the area.

He emphasised that lithium mining, being surface mining, would destroy their stream and mini-lagoon, jeopardising their status as a Ramsar site of international importance.

Additionally, the hunting grounds integral to the Aboakyire festival would be compromised.

Neenyi Ghartey questioned the benefits of lithium mining compared to the contributions of the Aboakyire festival to tourism and the community’s well-being.

He stated: “I will be glad if somebody can come forward and tell me the tourism interest, what we give to the government because of the festival and what this lithium will give to us in three-five years.”

The paramount chief made it clear that as of now, no entity has approached the traditional council for mining in Winneba.

However, he asserted that if such a situation arises in the future, both the council and the people will resist it.

Neenyi Ghartey emphasised that mining is not the sole path to community development, adding that revenue from tourism, particularly from the Aboakyire festival, can contribute equally.

“We will resist it because it’s not minerals alone that will make a country what it is. I’ve travelled to a few places and I know what the countries get from tourism. So, if that is ours and what we contribute towards the national good, why not protect it?” he remarked.

Meanwhile, notably, various prominent Ghanaians, including Council of State member Sam Okudzeto and former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, have criticised the current lithium mining deal between the government of Ghana and Barari BV.

Despite opposing voices, the Minerals Commission asserts that the deal is in the best interest of the nation.

The $250-million project is scheduled to commence production by 2025, with the government standing to gain a 10% royalty and a 30% stake in Atlantic Lithium.

Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor insists that this deal represents the best in Ghana’s mining history.

 

Source: Classfmonline.com

 

News, Politics

Bawumia must answer his economic questions posed to Mahama – Kwasi Amnakwaa

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The opposition NDC parliamentary candidate for Kumawu, Mr Kwasi Amankwaa has ran down the economic prowess of Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.

Bawumia, who was recently elected to be the 2024 flag bearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), is seeking to win next year’s polls to revive the economy of the country after seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In the run up to the 2016 elections, Bawumia, who was the main speaker of the policies of the Akufo-Addo-led NPP, always utilised every opp0ortunity to discredit the John Mahama government, while rallying Ghanaians to rise for change.

Popular among his promises were prudent management of the economy, prioritising productivity to curb inflation and currency depreciation among others.

While President Mahama was campaigning for re-election on the back of social infrastructure for economic transformation, Dr. Bawumia mocked his credentials, citing huge borrowing that had burdened the fiscal space of the country.

The NPP Running Mate noted that the NPP would able to accomplish a lot more with less resources unlike the NDC-led government.

For instance, Bawumia had been trumpeting that the NDC government had huge gold and oil revenue at its disposal but because of  incompetence, President Maham was not able to introduce programmes that would have positive impact in the lives of the citizenry.

Economic Downturn

After seven years of attaining political power, the NPP government has come under fire for the economic nosedive that has skyrocketed inflation and high cost electricity, water and  food.

The government has attributed the economic downturn to the coronavirus pandemic between 2020 and 2021.

However some experts said Ghana recklessly embarked on a borrowing spree before the onset of Covid-19, a sharp contrast to the pledge of utilising state resources to manage the economy.

Again, analysts who backed Bawumia to demonise the IMF bailout under the Mahama administration have expressed shock at how the government crippled the economy and had to rush to the Bretton Woods institution to salvage the economy.

Ghana’s economic status has suffered several downgrades to junk status this year by rating agencies Several following the country’s inability to service its external debts.

Reacting to the hardship and the NPP government’s failure to put things on track on Dwaboase on TV XYZ, Wednesday, Kwasi Amankwaa wondered why Bawumia gathered the courage to step up to lead the NPP after his boss, President Akufo-Addo had sunk the economy.

“Our current economic situation under President Nana Akufo-Addo is worse than the famine situation of 1982 and 1983. Today young people are unable to land jobs; people can’t afford a 3-square meal due to a hyperinflation,” he argued.

“I think Ghanaians must push Dr. Bawumia to answer the same questions he posed to John Mahama in 2015/2016 and described him as incompetent because they are worse off than the very issues he jabbed President Mahama for,”he added.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News

Address corruption as organised crime swiftly – UN Resident Coordinator to Govt

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The United Nation Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, has stressed the importance of addressing corruption as an organised crime with swift action by government.

Given the organised nature of corruption and its cross-border impact, the Resident Coordinator said it should not just be seen as a moral issue – calling on all stakeholders to work together in order to fight the menace.

He made this call at a sensitisation workshop organised by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in partnership with the High-Level Implementation Committee (HiLAC).

Mr. Abani noted that corruption undermines democracies, siphons trillions of dollars from the most vulnerable and hinders economic progress, warning that evading the rule of law and creating chaotic entanglements only serves to increase the visibility of these crimes.

“Corruption is not just a moral issue; it is a crime that must be addressed by the state. It is often organised and crosses borders, making it necessary for stakeholders to engage with others. Corruption undermines democracies, steals trillions of dollars from those most in need and obstructs economic progress. Averting the rule of law and creating erratic entanglements only serves to increase publicity for these crimes,” The Resident Coordinator said.

The Resident Coordinator highlighted portions of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2022 report, which describes systemic corruption as a significant obstacle to achieving sustainable development. This, he insisted, needs to be addressed with urgency as it has a tendency to hamper the economy’s growth.

The impact of corruption in Ghana is significant, with reports indicating that there were GH₵17.4million bribes in 2021; and the country loses up to GH₵5billion through corruption and illicit financial flows, the UN Resident Coordinator stated.

He said this level of corruption has a profound impact on the country: stifling the ease of doing business, acting as a disincentive for foreign direct investment and affecting basic services such as health, education and social protection. It also creates a significant gap in funding needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, he added.

Mr. Abani noted that is important for Ghana to improve accountability and transparency in spending, raise domestic resources and revenue and stymie corruption, in order to achieve sustainable development.

National Anti-Corruption Action Plan

Deputy Commissioner at CHRAJ, Richard Quayson, explained that the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan is a strategic action plan consultatively developed by stakeholders to help fight corruption and promote national development in Ghana. It provides a framework for mobilising public support and resources for anti-corruption activities, and promoting integrity, transparency and accountability in all areas.

Commenting on the need for an evaluation of the plan, Mr. Aban said: “The evaluation of our activities is crucial, as completing all activities means nothing if they do not have the desired effect. It is important to ensure that resources – such as concessional money – have the impact they should in order to lift Ghana out of poverty. This evaluation is critical in our fight against corruption and achieving sustainable development”.

He added that the UN is committed to working with Ghana to combat corruption and promote sustainable development for the benefit of all citizens.

The workshop aimed to observe the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD), an annual event celebrated every December 9th to promote united efforts against corruption. It also sought to give an outline of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) and upcoming assessment, as well as create a strategy for raising awareness, education and advocacy on NACAP and IACD.

 

Source: The B&FT

News, Politics

President Akuffo Addo says he was given us region but it’s incomplete – Sefwi Omahene laments

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The Omahene of Sefwi Traditional area Okatakyie Kwasi Bumangama II has slammed government for giving them false hope during engagements before the creation of new regions.

According to him, the impression about massive development once Western North is hoved out of Western region is lacking.

“Akuffo Addo said he has given us region but the region is incomplete” – Okatakyie Kwasi Bumangama II lamented during his interaction with former President John Mahama who paid a courtesy call on him and his subjects on Day One of his two-day tour of the region.

The Sefwi Omanhene questioned the rationale behind creating new regions with all the funfair and promises with very little to show.

For him, what needs to be done is to ensure that the newly created regions are adequately resourced to catch up with those which existed before the addition of six new regions.

Commenting on the state of forests in the region as a result of mining, the Okatakyie Kwasi Bumangama II said …”The Forestry Commission has taken over our lands and they are destroying it. It would have been better if the so-called forest guards were not introduced”.

In response, the NDC 2024 Presidential candidate assured that the next NDC government will ensure protection of the forest reserves and fast track development in all the newly create regions.

News, Politics

You haven’t seen anything yet; 24hour economy is just a tip of the iceberg – John Mahama

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Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama says the 24-hour economy policy proposal, caused a stir among opponents trying hard in vain to water down the expected impact on the economy and job creation is just of the many initiatives he will be announcing in the2024 manifesto of the NDC.

Mr Mahama, who is on a two-day tour of the Western North region has assured Ghanaians that the team of experts finetuning initiatives that can reverse the economic downturn, are broadly consulting and from next year January, the blue print to be outdoored will set tongues wagging.

The former President who paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional area, Okatakyie Kwasi Bumangama II, at his Palace, said the initiatives to be announced will attest that the NDC indeed, stands tall and is better managing of the economy.

The 24-hour economy, is just one of our economic policies. When I spoke about it, many people have reacted to it. There is a committee in place working on the policy for its effective implication”. ,, he added.
He added that ” we will outdoor our policies aimed at reviving the economy begining January next year”.

The NDC 2024 Presidential candidate who us highly tipped to win the next general elections noted with concern that the hardship in Ghana today is unprecedented.

“This is not the country I handed over to Akuffo Addo. The baton I handed over to him and Dr Bawumia has had fallen and we need to take it up and put Ghana back on track” – John Mahama explained.

Earlier he met party executives, Members of Parliament and former appointees who he admonished to build bridges to form a formidable force to help NDC capture more votes in the region.
“I recently called on Dr Kwabena Duffour and he also visited me for talks on the future of our party.
This shows we are united at the top and it is incumbent on all party members to burry differences and unite at the grassroot level” … he emphasized.

In his remarks, the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Traditional area, Okatakyie Kwasi Bumangama II bemoaned how the Constitution has taken away powers of Chiefs and Queen mothers.
According to him, politicians have rendered them weaker, a reason for what he describes as the increasing rate of indiscipline and disrespect for traditional rulers.

According to the revered Chief, numerous complaints at the Regional House of Chiefs have fallen on deaf ears.

‘We have complained even at the regional house of chiefs that chiefs are no more respected and even when someone is summoned, they can boldly say it to our face that we should process them for court” he fumed.

Okatakyie however assured John Mahama that the traditional leaders will rally behind him if he will restore their powers.

“We can assure you that if you will restore our powers back to us, all chiefs will follow you” he promised.

John Mahama continues his tour of Western North Region tomorrow before crossing over to the Western region where he will spend two days before he wraps up in the Central region.

Busines, News

High cost of local production fuelling Ghanaians’ taste for foreign products – Attah Issah

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Financial analyst and politician Attah Issah has blamed Ghana’s swelling import drive on the inability of the government to help businesses minimise cost of local production.

The Parliamentary candidate for the opposition NDC in Sagnarigu said the cost of doing business in Ghana has gone off the roof in than past year, making local products more expensive to the average Ghanaian who struggles to find a financial balance due to the harsh economic conditions.

To him, it is the reason the taste for foreign products has heightened among Ghanaians in the past few years, making it difficult for the government to control inflation.

Speaking in an interview on TV XYZ, Issah who is an entrepreneur bemoaned the tax components on the prices of locally made products, stressing that the west does not improve economies through imposing such nuisance taxes but rather create enabling environment for businesses to be more efficient and export more products.

“Ghana has acquired foreign taste due to [the] cost of doing business in Ghana,” he stated and explained that there is a demand for sanitary pads in the country but the locally ones are expensive due to the high cost of producing the pads.

“Because of government policies abroad, they are able to produce more at a lower cost so when their products come here you see that their prices are lower… so we have gradually acquired foreign taste.”

He said the situation also makes products made in Ghana very expensive on the international market hence hampering the country’s export drive.

He urged government to bridge the gap between the products being consumed in the country and what the country produces for the people. He wants the government to focus on agriculture and adding value to raw materials in the country.

“You need to prioritise areas that you think you have competitive advantage in,” he urged while pointing that the local production of cocoa, rice and sugar will help sustain the economy through foreign exchange.

To him, high interest rates were also hampering local production especially when private sector industry players lack access to credit to thrive and contribute to the growth of the country’s GDP.

Despite all the investments the NPP government brags of, Atta Issah believes the government did not channel the resources to the right sectors such as the private sector.

He also bemoaned that tax incentives were not given to the right companies, adding that a wanton amount of GHS 47 billion to “selected foreign companies” to the detriment of local firms.

Expressing disappointment in the Akufo-Addo government, Issah urged Ghanaians to believe in the flag bearer of the NDC, former President John Mahama, who has promised to tap into the human capital of the country through the implementation of a 24-hour economy to revive the country’s finaces.

“Tax exemptions shall be well targeted by the 24hr economy under Mahama,” he added.

NDC’s Approach to 24-hr economy

The 24-hour economy policy will be a major boost for the next NDC administration’s import substitution and export drive under John Mahama.

A Mahama government will leverage it to stabilize the national currency, improve Ghana’s reserves, bring down inflation and interest rates, create more employment opportunities and improve livelihoods.

Mahama has pledged that his government will create an enabling environment for businesses and companies to operate 24/7 by providing an atmosphere of improved security and public safety.

He pledges that his government will provide cheaper and reliable electricity for participating businesses based on a Time Of Use (TOU) tariff system.

Mahama has also promised Companies that sign unto the 24-hour economy policy modern smart meters which will be calibrated to charge a lesser tariff (per KW/h) for power consumed during off-peak hours.

Tax Incentives will also be given businesses that subscribe to the 24-hour Economy policy to reduce the cost of their operations and enhance their competitiveness.

The NDC government pledges to provide financing support  for certain strategic agro-processing factories and manufacturing companies to boost production for import substitution and exports.

 

By Henryson Okrah |Myxyzonline.com

 

News, Politics, Topstory

Provision of resources & incentives for institutions will make 24-hr economy work – Mahama

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The flag bearer of the opposition NDC, former President John Mahama, has reiterated his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promise of a 24-hour economy.

Vice President and leader of the governing NPP, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, has dismissed Mr. Mahama’s understanding of the 24-hour economy policy.

He said the policy was not novelty since it is already being implemented in Ghana through the extended operations of hospitals, fuel companies, and some ‘chop bars.

Responding to critics of the promise, Mr Mahama stated that he knew some companies operate around the clock but was quick to add that the current development was not enough for economic transformation.

Emphasising on the possibility of  the policy, he stated that a future NDC government would facilitate its implementation by providing necessary resources and incentives for interested institutions to make it easier for everyone to participate.

He made the comment during a meeting with some NDC party executives in the Western-North Region as part of his two-day tour of the area dubbed “Building Ghana Tour.”

NDC’s Approach to 24-hr economy

The 24-hour economy policy will be a major boost for the next NDC administration’s import substitution and export drive under John Mahama.

A Mahama government will leverage it to stabilize the national currency, improve Ghana’s reserves, bring down inflation and interest rates, create more employment opportunities and improve livelihoods.

Mahama has pledged that his government will create an enabling environment for businesses and companies to operate 24/7 by providing an atmosphere of improved security and public safety.

He pledges that his government will provide cheaper and reliable electricity for participating businesses based on a Time Of Use (TOU) tariff system.

Mahama has also promised Companies that sign unto the 24-hour economy policy modern smart meters which will be calibrated to charge a lesser tariff (per KW/h) for power consumed during off-peak hours.

Tax Incentives will also be given businesses that subscribe to the 24-hour Economy policy to reduce the cost of their operations and enhance their competitiveness.

The NDC government pledges to provide financing support  for certain strategic agro-processing factories and manufacturing companies to boost production for import substitution and exports.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

Jasikan & Guan districts hold District Level Elections in Dec. 19 – EC

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The Electoral Commis­sion (EC) says it  will conduct the District Level Elections in the Jasikan and Guan districts in the Oti Region on December 19, 2023,  same as the other districts.

Although nominations were not received on the 16th and 17th of November for the election, the C.I. 119 (to be amended) which was laid in Parliament has not matured.

The Commission, in a press statement signed by its Acting Head of Pub­lic Affairs, Mr Michael Boadu, said following the passage of the C.I. and in accordance with the District Level Elections Regulations 2015 (C.I. 89), the Electoral Commis­sion would conduct the District Level Elections in these two districts on the 19th of December, 2023.

According to the statement posted on its website, the EC said Nomination Forms may be ob­tained free of charge at the Jasikan and Guan District Offices of the Electoral Commission or on the website of the commission.

“Completed Nomination Forms must be delivered in quadruplicate by either the Candidate or the Pro­poser or Seconder together with two copies of a recent post-card sized photographs (bust sized) to the Returning Officer of the Elec­toral Area for which the Candidate seeks election, from Thursday, the 7th to Friday the 8th of Decem­ber, 2023 between the hours of nine o’clock in the morning to twelve noon and two o’clock to five o’clock in the evening on each day,” statement added.

It also noted that, Nominations for the District Assembly Elections would be witnessed by the signa­tures or marks of the Proposer and the Seconder and supported by eighteen (18) other persons who are residents and registered to vote in the Electoral Area.

“Nominations for the Unit Committee Elections shall be wit­nessed by the signatures or marks of the Proposer and the Seconder and supported by eight (8) other persons who are residents and registered to vote in the Electoral Area.

All enquiries related to these Elections should be addressed to the District Officers of the Elec­toral Commission in the Jasikan and Guan districts,” the statement added.

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

Bawumia urges Bawku factions to embrace peace and resolve conflict

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Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on a visit to Bawku on December 12, 2023, called for an immediate end to the conflict between Mamprusis and Kusasis.

Addressing the Bawkunaba and elders, he emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution through the established legal channels.

“The constitution offers a clear path to resolve chieftaincy disputes,” Dr. Bawumia stated. “Fighting and bloodshed will only perpetuate the suffering. The Constitution and the House of Chiefs, culminating in the Supreme Court, are the designated avenues for addressing these disagreements.”

He highlighted the detrimental impact of the conflict on the community and its development, expressing his pain as a son of the North. He emphasized the shared history and cultural similarities between the two groups, underscoring the possibility of peaceful coexistence.

“We are fundamentally one people. We have intermarried for generations, our languages are intertwined. I firmly believe that peace and harmony are achievable in Bawku, and I will actively work towards that goal. We must choose peace over conflict.”

Dr. Bawumia emphasized the urgent need for development and a shift in focus towards improving the lives of Bawku’s residents. He pledged his commitment to uplifting the community from poverty and underdevelopment, but stressed that peace is a prerequisite for progress.

“Our youth need jobs, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. We should be fighting for these advancements, not against each other. The enemy we face is poverty and underdevelopment, not each other.”

The Bawkunaba commended Dr. Bawumia’s visit, acknowledging it as a symbol of unity and hope.

The Vice President was accompanied by a government delegation, including the Interior Minister, Chieftaincy Minister, NPP Chairman, and several MPs from the north.

 

Source: Graphic.com

News, Politics

NPP Sets Filing Fees, Nominations Dates For Parliamentary Aspirants

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced the filing fees and nomination dates for parliamentary aspirants ahead of the upcoming 2024 general elections.

According to the party, aspiring parliamentary candidates will be required to pay a non-refundable filing fee of Thirty-Five Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC35,000).

However, women, persons with disabilities, and youth between the ages of eighteen to forty (18-40) will be granted a fifty percent (50%) rebate on the filing fee.

In addition to the filing fee, aspirants will also need to pay a non-refundable Development Fee of Forty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC40,000) only.
In a statement released by the party and signed by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said nominations for parliamentary candidates will open on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, and will close on Monday, December 25, 2023.

The party has emphasized that no aspiring candidate shall be denied access to the nomination forms.

In the event that an aspiring candidate is denied access to the nomination forms at the constituency level, they can purchase the forms at the regional secretariat.

If denied at the regional level as well, the forms may be downloaded from the party’s website (www.newpatrioticparty.org).

Forms that are printed from the party’s website must be submitted to the General Secretary at the National Secretariat of the Party.

Aspiring candidates who downloaded nomination forms from the website must provide proof that they were denied an opportunity to purchase the forms at both the constituency and regional levels.
The Extraordinary Constituency Delegates’ Conference for the election of parliamentary candidates is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Nomination forms will be sold at Three Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH3,000) only.

The NPP has reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent parliamentary primaries. The party counts on the support of all stakeholders as it moves forward with the nomination process.

 

 

Source: Daily Guide

News

Judge proposes plea bargain as court sets December 20 for NAM 1 trial

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After almost five years since the CEO of defunct dealership firm Menzgold, Nana Appiah Mensah was charged with selling gold without license, defrauding and various counts of money laundering, an Accra High Court has set December 20 to begin his trial.

Outlining the legal options available to the accused, Justice Owusu Dapaah explained to lawyers of the NAM 1 that they could explore a plea bargain since the case is a financial one.

Plea bargains are agreements between defendants and prosecutors in which defendants agree to plead guilty to some or all of the charges against them in exchange for concessions from the prosecutors
During a case management conference in court on Tuesday, December 12, Director of Public Prosecutions Yvonne Attakorah Obuobisa noted that the state will call eleven witnesses for their evidence during the trial.

The witnesses include Stephen Attipoe (Prosecution Witness 1), Lady Darling Tuffour (PW2), Dr Niikoi Annan (PW3), Edward Otu Larbi (PW4), Fred Odame Asiedu (PW5), and Francis Agodzi (PW6).
The remaining are Benjamin Baffoe (PW7), Rhoda Fofo Kormey(PW8), Rose Ocran (PW9), Priscilla Adu Boateng (PW10), DSP Charles Nyarko (PW11).
After an assessment of the roadmap of the prosecution by counsel for Nana Appiah Mensah also known as NAM 1 and state prosecutors, the court noted that thirty-five (35) hours will be used.

This will consist of witness statements and cross-examinations of the defendant’s counsel.
Presiding judge Dr Ernest Owusu-Dapaah indicated that there will be a daily trial of the former Menzgold boss in January, 2024.

“Scheduled dates for hearing in January 2024:

15th January – 1pm, 16th January – Morning, 17th January – 9am, 18th January – 9am and 19th January – 9am after which subsequent dates will be decided”
He added that he hoped the judgement for the trial would be ready in March, 2024.
Nana Appiah Mensah pleaded not guilty to 39 counts of new charges proffered against him by the state on December 8.

News, Politics

Lithium agreement not in national interest – Sam Okudzeto backs IEA, others

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Legal luminary and Member of the Council of State, Sam Okudzeto has joined the fray of growing public dissent against the country’s inaugural lithium lease agreement, asserting that the deal is not in the Ghanaian people’s best interests.

Corroborating the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Mr. Okudzeto expressed reservations over the agreement; drawing parallels with colonial-era deals that historically resulted in meagre royalties for the state.

He argued that since time immemorial, the country has been subjected to receiving minimal royalties for its resources – a trend mirrored in the latest lithium deal. He also raised concerns over the deal’s lack of plans for adding value to domestically mined lithium.

Drawing comparisons with resource-rich countries in the Middle East, the Council of State member speaking in his personal capacity questioned why Ghana seemingly readily agrees to part with its resources for a modest 5 to 10 percent in royalties instead of alternatively considering service contracts.

In view of lithium’s potential as a critical mineral, particularly its significance as a transition mineral, he opposed the agreement which seeks to offer a greater percentage of the stake in its extraction to a private foreign entity.

“To me, it is nothing new – in the sense that I had raised this matter some 20 or more years ago,” he said in reference to having minerals and allowing others to take the majority stake while paying a pittance to the state as royalties.

Mr. Okudzeto was speaking on the back of a stakeholder consultative forum with religious leaders organised by the IEA in Accra, and recognised the created platform’s importance.

He said: “I am happy that the IEA has provided this forum, because I think part of the problem we have in Ghana is the fact we have never been able to provide such a forum whereby people can freely interact and share opinions on national issues.
“We are all Ghanaians. The interests of this country belong to all of us. Let us bond together. If this deal is not good, which I think it is not good, let us tell whoever signed the document,” he stated.

Against this backdrop, he cautioned Members of Parliament (MPs) to “do what is right – what is in the interest of Ghana”, while reiterating his position that the lithium agreement is not in the interests of Ghana.

He urged religious leaders to rally behind the IEA and demand that the lease agreement be reviewed.
The IEA’s presentation to religious leaders on the lithium agreement signed between government and Barari DV Ghana Limited – a subsidiary of the Australian-based Atlantic Lithium Company, follows a press conference led by retired Chief Justice Justice Sophia Akuffo on the agreement some days ago.

The IEA raised significant concerns, highlighting the need for parliamentary ratification per Article 268 of the 1992 Constitution.

It also contested Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapor’s assertions regarding the agreement’s favourability to Ghana – noting that the terms resemble past colonial-type agreements which have provided limited benefits to the average Ghanaian.

In contrast, the Institute suggested an alternative model – drawing parallels with successful lithium-producing countries like Mexico, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. One key aspect of this proposal is the establishment of a Ghana Lithium Company (GLC), tasked with overseeing the entire value chain.
However, the minister in response to the IEA and other critics of the agreement has come out to clarify that ratification of the mining lease is explicitly provided for in the Mining Lease granted to Barari DV Ltd.

He emphasised that as per the terms of the lease, ratification by parliament is a prerequisite – adding that the ongoing processes, including securing Cabinet approval, must be completed before presenting the agreement to parliament for consideration and ratification.

The minister justified the reliance on private companies for mineral exploration by claiming a lack of resources for independent exploration – allowing them to obtain mining leases without a tender process.

Regarding calls for a Ghana Lithium Company, the minister cited current mineral volume and government’s commitment to maximising benefits as reasons for deeming it unfeasible.

But Chief Justice Justice Sophia Akuffo, a distinguished IEA scholar, during the interactions with religious leaders maintained that there has to be a paradigm-shift in the way mining agreements are done in the country – especially given the current times.

“If one were to sketch the whole gold, cocoa and oil arrangements, and practically all our resources, the formula would be the same – what the IEA loosely calls ‘the colonial format’. And it is as though that is the only way for natural resources in Ghana to be contracted, exploited or used,” she stated.

The various religious leaders at the forum took turns to share their concerns on emerging issues surrounding the deal, noting that it is only proper for the country to revise its approach as suggested.
The IEA indicated it will work with leaders to petition the president and parliament going forward.

 

 

 

Source: B&FT